Small Competitions - What is the Value?

[DanceMentor]

I'm curious what value you place on small competitions. I know that there might be less competition and a smaller audience. But I'm wondering if money is better spent on the large competitions since those are the ones that count on a national level. On the other, I know some people opt for small competitions out of convenience because they are closer. So why would you want to spend your money on a small competition instead of a larger one?

[Laura]

It really depends on the person.

One friend of mine only goes to small competitions because she likes the friendlier and more supportive atmosphere, not to mention the smaller expense. She finds very large competitions to be too high-pressure, to the point where she doesn't really enjoy herself or perform well.

I prefer larger competitions, but don't like travelling too far from home. I'd much rather go to a medium-sized competition in my own time zone than fly across the US to a large competition. It's not so much the expense, but rather dealing with the three hour time difference. If my event is at 11am, then that's like 8am at home unless I go several days early to adjust. I just don't feel very comfortable in this situation.

[dancingfool]

Smaller comps are sometimes good for 'practice' in preparation for a larger comp down the road.

[SDsalsaguy]

Smaller comps are sometimes good for 'practice' in preparation for a larger comp down the road.

Yes – and they are also an excellent venue to actually get noticed by, both by the judges on the floor and the others in attendance. At the larger comps the judges have less time to pay attention until the final round as they are viewing more couples and, as soon as you can be "eliminated" they (often) no longer pay attention. Alain Doucet makes a comment to this overall effect in the current issue of Dance Notes (March/April 2003) – that smaller comps provide you the opportunity to get noticed, especially earlier on in your dancing.

[Vince A]

I compete in as many competitions as I can - small and large!

Small ones give me time on the floor and not just sitting and watching someone else dance. Small ones give me more time in front of judges. I want them to see my face on the floor, and hopefully, remember my face, and especially my dancing.

Small ones usually have less competitors on the floor at one time, albeit, at smaller comps I usually compete in the "open" levels against the 18 year-olds - not in my own age bracket! I've never beaten one of those kids, but I will someday!

Small ones give me the confidence I need to stay motivated and sure of myself. I no longer become nervous . . . just confident.

Large ones? What can I say? I love entertaining and being in front of people. The more the merrier! I may have started this at a later-in-life age, but I like it. So the big ones have bigger crowds and many more dancers, which lets me know what I'm made of! I get a natural high from dancing!

[SDsalsaguy]

Go get 'em Vince :!:

...and welcome to the forums :D

[DanceMentor]

Welcome to the Forums, Vince! :D
It's a good point you make about being able to compete and stand a higher chance of winning, although I have personally come in last place at small competitions as well. :lol:

[pygmalion]

So, if you're a new competitor, or considering going into competition, the concensus is that a small/local competition is the place to start?

[DanceMentor]

So, if you're a new competitor, or considering going into competition, the concensus is that a small/local competition is the place to start?

Small competitions are a great place to win, feel a sense of accomplishment, and get known with the judges before moving to the larger events. Also, there aren't as many people watching, so it can be less nerve-racking for a new person.
...so agree with you, pygmalion! :D

[Vince A]

hi Jenn,
What type of dancing will you be doing??? If you are going to C&W dance, start of with Waltz, Cha, Cha, 2 Step, and WCS . . . adding dances later! There are 2 upcoming event s in FL that you could beging to compete - one in Nov and one in Feb.

If you are going strictly ballroom or other dances, I'd talk to DanceMentor or SDsalsaguy.

[pygmalion]

Thanks, Vince. Not sure yet. My lesson's this afternoon, and I'm not going to decide anything without input from my good old coach (I bet he's getting sick of me asking him forums-related questions! :lol: :lol: ).

But, in the meanwhile, I'll check the web. There are a couple good websites that list competitions. That way, I have something specific to ask.

Thanks again. :D I'll keep you posted.

Jenn

[Vince A]

Try www.ucwdc.com . . . there is an event Nov in Ft. Lauderdale, and one in Feb in Altamonte Springs. Good places to get your feet wet!

[pygmalion]

Altamonte Springs it is. That's effectively Orlando. A 25 minute drive from my house! Thanks. :D

Jenn

[Vince A]

That is a C&W event . . . do you do the minimum required 4 dances so that you can "place?"

There are 8 dances in all. You can put 1 or 2 or 3 dances, but cannot place 5th through 1st. You should try for the 4 minimum dances - Waltz, Cha Cha, 2 Step, and WCS. Then add ECs, NC2S, Triple Step (Polka), and Triple 2. You need a 90 second routine for each, and preferrably routines that "show" you off. You are the one being judged.

Pull up the rules and go for it . . . you have nothing to lose and everything to win! And I guarantee that your dancing abilities will "grow" much faster.

[SDsalsaguy]

Ok, on the Ballroom side of things I'd aggree with the start small theory. You get exposure and floor time withouth (1) being overwhelmed, and (2) the greater expense often associated with larger comps (funny how economies of scale never seem to penetrate the dancing world, isn't it? :?). Here's a listing of some NDCA Ballroom comps if FL (http://www.accessdance.com/dance_competitions/state/FL/). Also, are you looking to do pro-am or are you getting an am partner?

[pygmalion]

Hey SD. Thanks for the comp listings. I think I'm going to try pro-am first, since my coach has lots of competition experience and can help me get through the rough spots. Plus, finding an amateur partner is a fairly long-term project, I think. After conversations I've had with my coach, I think I'm going to have to knock myself out between now and the end of the year -- and next year, I can start. I have a couple fundamentals I want/need to nail, first. In the meantime, I'm going to go to a few smaller comps, watch, and take notes.

I'll keep you all posted! :D

[pygmalion]

wow. Amazing how much things can change in a few weeks. My new take: small comps are a good, non-intimidating way to get started competing, learn how the process works, and gain some visibility.

[angie]

So, if you're a new competitor, or considering going into competition, the concensus is that a small/local competition is the place to start?

What I have witnessed with my own dancing experience and that of my children is that the more people you are in front of the better. I do believe that the smaller/local competitions are the best place to start for a lot of the same reasons others have said such as (fewer competitors, much more exposure to the judges, etc..,) but my experience has been that the smaller comp. judges are willing to give you more feedback and instruction due to the calmer competition. I have found this to be invaluable!!

[angie]

So, if you're a new competitor, or considering going into competition, the concensus is that a small/local competition is the place to start?

Yes! Watching my children dance over the years in team and partnering couples the smaller competitions are vital for the more personal approach and for the option of getting to talk with the judges and receive their view points so that when you get to the bigger competitions, you will be that much more prepared!!

[cornutt]

If you're only doing 15-20 dances (for whatever reason), a smaller comp can be the way to go. 20 dances in a one-day comp is a pretty decent day's work. 20 dances spread over four days is boooooorrrring -- and you do every dance cold, because it's impossible to stay loose when you only have one dance every two hours. :rolleyes:

[fire_dancer]

Having only done one smaller competition and getting ready for Twin Cities Open, a much larger one, I can tell you that the smaller competitions often act as great 'springboard' events. Sometimes the smaller ones are better for getting you acclimated to what this whole competition circuit is all about, and allows couples to get used to working together in a competition setting without the pressure of thousands of people watching. Also, if you're learning a new style (American? International?) or a specific dance, smaller comps often act as a great place to try them out in front of people and learn where you're at. The same goes for new routines with partners.... sometimes the smaller ones can get you used to performing the new routine in front of an audience, figure out the floorcraft, etc. without the hassle of worrying "I paid $100 to dance in this round, I can't screw up!"

Just my two cents :)

[tanya_the_dancer]

Having only done one smaller competition and getting ready for Twin Cities Open, a much larger one, I can tell you that the smaller competitions often act as great 'springboard' events. Sometimes the smaller ones are better for getting you acclimated to what this whole competition circuit is all about, and allows couples to get used to working together in a competition setting without the pressure of thousands of people watching. Also, if you're learning a new style (American? International?) or a specific dance, smaller comps often act as a great place to try them out in front of people and learn where you're at. The same goes for new routines with partners.... sometimes the smaller ones can get you used to performing the new routine in front of an audience, figure out the floorcraft, etc. without the hassle of worrying "I paid $100 to dance in this round, I can't screw up!"

Just my two cents :)

We basically have 2 local competitions (2.5 hour drive to each) here - both are not too big, but not too small either (and I was told that they've gotten bigger in the last few years). I've been doing them so far for the last 3 years. This year I am doing my first out of state competition, I am going to Chicago Crystal Ball, that's a 7 hour drive for me. I would do small competitions if they were local. I don't know if I will ever do a bigger one where I will have to add the expense of plane tickets on the top of everything.

[bailarín]

Great topic.
We view each competition as practice for the next event, so each competition then gives us a chance for our most realistic practice rounds that week.
We regard the various levels of conditions, equipment, organization, competitors, judging, etc., that we encounter as useful - ignoring these helps train our focus on our dancing and not externals (or should I say, despite externals).
Pitching in to help small comps is also useful in understanding the issues involved from an ownership vs. an entitlement point of view.
Miss a small comp and miss an opportunity to improve again.

[LaLoona]

At a competition besides competing I learn from watching other couples, especially from couples that are much better than we are. The more of them the better. Small comps often times are not having lots/any excellent couples that really worth looking at...

[Agunde]

I have been an avid follower of Ballroom (OK I am the mother of four ballroom dancers) and I love the smaller competitions! They assist in exposure (getting the bugs worked out of the routines AND getting the nerves calmed down) and the judges are much more accessible and eager to give critquing to let the dancers know exactly what they are looking for and what they saw that they liked, etc..,

I also really enjoy the large competitions--you can't beat the energy! I do know that my experience has shown me that doing the smaller ones first really helped my kids have and better chance to place higher than when they just went to the larger ones.

Angela Gunderson

[Nik]

Small local comps are the best for 2 reasons.

1. You don't have any pressure of competing with anyone because you are going there knowing you will win.

2. If you know most of the audience, it is way more fun to dance, cause its more like a show. You enjoy yourself a lot more and start dancing for the audience instead of the judges.

[fascination]

fun ...but ya know, here's the thing...if you're on a budget it isn't fun to pay thousands to go and beat people you know you're gonna beat....dancing is fun but I can have fun dancing for FREE...I like small comps if I am able to save money by not spending the night and being choosey about what I dance...and as prep for bigger ones...otherwise...I gotta save my nickels for the big stuff

[Laura]

But if you are dancing as an amateur like Nik then it's not going to cost thousands, so it's definitely worth it to go to the local comps. They are a great opportunity to just get more floor time, because the more you dance your routines under competitive circumstances (even small local ones), the better you will be able to cope with the stresses (both good and bad) of the larger comps.

[fascination]

definately ...and thats true of pro/am as well if you can swing it...and in general...how can it ever be a bad thing besides cost?...personally, the last little one I went to was also an excellent boost to my ego and a chance for pro and I to ...GASP...have fun

[Laura]

NO! NO FUN ALLOWED! You must be in it to win it, and I don't mean just win some local syllabus or novice comp. No no no, if you aren't GOING FOR THE GOLD then you are just DEAD WEIGHT taking up valuable studio space or lining the pockets of unscrupulous dance teachers.

As if! :) :) :) :)

[fascination]

hey, have you been having those pina coladas without me?????...and actually, I think if you don't have some fun, you also aren't likely to win very much either...

[tangotime]

Most important--- floor craft--- and experience -- always test the water before you jump in to the pool -- develop your craft and skills and limit your expense before committing to grander stages